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Horse Gathering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Closed

1171908Federal

Submission Closed07/01/2026, 11:00:00 PM UTC

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

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NAICS: 114210

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AI Contract Overview

The U.S. Forest Service is conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI) to identify qualified small business contractors capable of providing humane, low-stress horse gathering services on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, specifically in the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts, with an estimated target of removing approximately 2,000 free-ranging horses. This RFI is strictly for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation, nor does it obligate the government to award a contract. All responses must be submitted electronically in PDF or Word format, not exceeding 10 pages, by 1700 MST on July 1, 2026, to Shavera Leveille at shavera.leveille@usda.gov. Respondents are required to complete and sign an official RFI form, providing company details, point of contact, relevant experience in wildlife gathering operations, and business size classification under NAICS 114210 (Hunting and Trapping), with a small business size standard of $8.5 million. Only entities registered in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity ID are eligible to respond. The government is seeking input on innovative, non-helicopter capture methods including bait trapping, water trapping, remote monitoring, and behavioral techniques designed to reduce stress, lower operational costs, and improve efficiency in rugged, forested environments. Contractors are encouraged to share best practices, equipment recommendations, timeline estimates, resource needs, risk assessments, and lessons learned from prior wildlife or livestock management projects. The operation must comply with Arizona Department of Agriculture regulations and prioritize animal welfare and personnel safety. Helicopter use for capture is strictly prohibited, though limited aerial surveying is permitted for planning purposes. All gathered horses must be transported in fully enclosed, mechanically sound stock trailers, and contractors must provide detailed descriptions and photographic documentation of each animal’s identifying markings. In a future solicitation, the work will include handling, holding, transportation, and facilitation of horse sales, with proceeds remitted to the Forest Service after approved fees. The proposed contract, if issued, will be a total small business set-aside under FAR 19.5, and any contractor participating in the resulting solicitation must submit a separate proposal. The place of performance is Springerville, Arizona, with gathering activities occurring across designated forest lands, and all work must be conducted only in areas and during time windows approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

General Info

Apache-Sitgreaves Forest seeks small business input for humane, low-impact horse removal operations.

Agency

Department Of Agriculture → Csa Southwest 5 Usda-Fs

NAICS

114210 - Hunting and Trapping

Place of Performance

Springerville, AZ, 85938, USA

Set-Aside

SBA

Documents

Draft Statement of Work for Apache-Sitgreaves Horse Gather

sow

High

RFI Apache-Sitgreaves Horse Gathering 1171908

rfi

High

RFI for Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Horse Gathering 1171908

rfi

High

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

Timeline

PhaseClosed

PostedJun 17

Sources Sought

Response DeadlineJul 1

Deadline has passed

Submission Closed

07/01/2026, 11:00:00 PM UTC

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyDepartment Of Agriculture → Csa Southwest 5 Usda-Fs

Contacts2 people available

OfficeAlbuquerque, NM, 871023498, USA

Organization / AgencyDepartment Of Agriculture → Csa Southwest 5 Usda-Fs

Office AddressAlbuquerque, NM, 871023498, USA

Contacts

Shavera Leveille

contact@example.gov

+1 (555) 000-0000

Ma Estrellita Dasmarinas

contact@example.gov

+1 (555) 000-0000

Full Description

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY

Project Title: Horse Gathering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (1171908)

NAICS: 114210-Hunting and Trapping with a small business size standard of $8.5M.

Description

The Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest is conducting market research to identify qualified and interested contractors capable of providing technical advice, planning support, and/or operational expertise for the humane gathering of free-ranging horses using bait traps, water traps, or other cost-efficient, low-stress capture methods.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the US Forest Service is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Interested Contractors are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov.

Background: This project consists of the capture and removal horses from national forest system lands on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Current estimates of horses to be removed from the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts are approximately 2,000.

The work includes gathering, handling/loading, holding, care, transportation, delivery and facilitation of the sale of horses from the National Forests. The work also includes impounding and caring for branded, stray animals while public notice of unauthorized livestock is given. The health and well-being of the animals and personal safety of individuals involved with gather operations is high priority. The work will be accomplished in a safe and humane manner and be in accordance with appropriate State of Arizona laws (Arizona Department of Agriculture (az.gov).

See attached Draft Statement of Work (SOW) for technical requirements.

The Forest is exploring non-helicopter, low-impact methods, including but not limited to:

Bait trapping
Water trapping
Remote monitoring or other low-stress capture systems
Behavioral-based methods to improve voluntary entry
Cost-efficient operational designs that reduce personnel and equipment needs

The Forest seeks contractor input on best practices, equipment options, operational sequencing, cost considerations, and feasibility for implementing these methods.

Interested contractors are invited to submit information addressing the following:

1. Company Information-(Fill out and sign the attached Request for Information Form)

Company name, address, and point of contact
Types of services offered relevant to horse handling or wildlife management
Applicable business size (large, small, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.)

2. Relevant Experience

Experience with bait trapping, water trapping, or similar wildlife gathering methods
Past performance with federal, state, tribal, or private land-management agencies
Training, certifications, or compliance experience with animal-welfare standardsTechnical Input Requested

3. Provide input or recommendations on: Effective trap designs, materials, and deployment strategies

Timeline and resource needs for a successful trapping operation
Remote monitoring tools, safety measures, and animal-welfare considerations
Strategies for trapping in rugged, forested, or dispersed-water environments
Methods for reducing costs while maintaining humane standards
Potential risks or operational challenges Forest Service staff should consider

4. Additional Recommendations

Innovative techniques or technologies not listed above
Suggestions to improve safety, efficiency, and humaneness
Lessons learned from previous captures or wildlife projects

Response Format

Responses should be submitted electronically in PDF or Word format and should not exceed 10 pages. No confidential, proprietary, or classified information should be submitted.

All contractors responding to this request for information notice are advised that their response to this notice is not a request that will be considered for contract award. All interested parties shall be required to respond to the resultant solicitation separately from their response to this request for information notice. The Government seeks to find any small business capable of fulfilling this requirement. A responsible potential source shall have registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Interested Contractors shall be registered as small business according to the NAICS: 114210-Hunting and Trapping with a small business size standard of $8.5M.

Submission Instructions

Provide responses and questions via email to:

Shavera Leveille at shavera.leveille@usda.gov no later than 1700 MST on 7/1/2026.